Sunday, August 19, 2012

In case you haven't noticed, there has been a serious lack of posts going on lately. A) There were some issues with spam postings that I just couldn't figure out and B) it was summer and I really needed time with my family. The problem was I really missed blogging! I'm so excited to be starting back and on a new site! Join me at the *NEW* Mommy Calling site, and please excuse the appearance and lack of features while I am in transition! I'm also starting a new feature, Schooling Sundays, which will go through our week of homeschooling. I'm really excited to be adding these and other new features! I hope you choose to follow me over at the new locale!

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

"Call to me and I will answer you. I will tell you great and mighty things that you do not know." Jeremiah 33:3

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{IMPORTANT!!! My blog has been hacked and we are working to get it taken care of. However, posts are being changed, paragraphs deleted, etc. If you see content that you find disturbing please let me know since I cannot monoitor each and every post constantly for changes. and I'm really hoping to not have to take down the blog to fix this issue. Also ***DO NOT CLICK ON LINKS THAT ARE UNDERLINED*** Any links that I add (to Scriptures or previous posts) will NOT be underlined, they will simply be red. I am so sorry, and I hope to get it resolved soon!}

Day 17: Prayers for Gentleness

"Believers shouldn't curse anyone or be quarrelsome, but they should be gentle
and show courtesy to everyone." Titus 3:2

I have previously shared my struggles with gentleness. I'm pretty sure every mother has struggled on occasion. It seems that something that should be most reflected in our speech and in our correction of our children is actually one of the hardest things to practice in the moment. In fact, it's something I was talking with a few other mothers about yesterday. My children will be screaming at me, at eachother, at the wall, at whatever it is they feel like screaming at, and here I come screaming right back, "Quit screaming! It's not nice! We don't scream at people!" *insert red face here* I mean really? Here I am screaming at them telling them not to scream because it's not nice. Mommy fail.

I pray that my sons will not struggle with gentleness the way that I do. Some people are just naturally more gentle than others, and I pray that maybe somehow they are just a little bit more naturally gentle. Apart from that all I can do is pray that they will come to know Christ, come to be filled with His Spirit, and come to put into practice the fruits that are placed in them. And I will pray that they will practice gentleness in abundance!

Lord, I pray over my sons gentleness. God, fill them with your spirit, guide them and direct them. Lord, help me to be an example of gentleness to them no matter how unnaturally it is for me. I know that no matter what you are there, that I have your power inside of me. I know that no matter what I can make the choice every single time. I know that I can chose to turn away from my flesh, from my short temper and mean spirit, and that I can instead choose gentleness. I can instead choose You. I pray that my struggle will not be a hinderence to my sons, Father. I pray that they will always have a gentle heart, a gentle spirit, and gentle actions...

Monday, June 11, 2012

"Come let us worship and bow down, let us kneel before The Lord, our Maker. For He is our God, and we are the people of His pasture, the sheep of His hand." Psalm 96:6-7

{Do you feel like this prayers for sons has become a "chore"? If you have, I urge you to continue! Yes, it actually is a chore. It's work, it's time consuming, but it is just as important as sticking out those days when our sons just want to fight with us, when they just want to be disobedient and defiant. One way that I found to make it a little less of a "chore" is to make it spontaneous. Doing it at a different time each day, as you can tell by the timing of each post. There were nights when I realized, "Oh man, I haven't done my prayer over my sons today," and I had to take the time no matter how tired I was. There were some early mornings when I tried to get up before the sun...and my sons (and daughter)...Today I am excited about continuing because I slept in after a long week of Vacation Bible School last week. I am rested, recharged, and ready to go. I hope you can find some way to make sure this is remaining an important part of mothering rather than growing to be something you don't enjoy.}

Day 16: Faithfulness

"He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much; and he who is unrighteous in a very little thing is unrighteous also in much." Luke 16:10

Like goodness there are few verses dealing with faithfulness when it comes to man. A vast majority of them simply deal with the faithfulness of God. This is one of the things I stressed when we began praying the Fruits of the Spirit over our sons. These are not things we can instill in them, not things that come naturally, and not even things that can be prayed into them. These are given to us at salvation and the evidence of these fruits will grow and multiply as our relationship and obedience to Christ grows.

So what is faithfulness? Simply stated, it is just sticking it out. Not straying, not leaving, not turning away. Faithfulness needs to be practiced in our everyday life: our relationships, our beliefs, our jobs. Let us pray that our sons will remain faithful to the Lord and His teachings, that they will remain faithful to their friends and their future spouse, and that they will be faithful to their commitments. Let us pray that no matter what they will "stick it out".

Lord, I pray that the spirit of faithfulness will be abundant in my sons. I pray that I will never forget the perfect model of your faithfulness to your creation, and that I will be a model to all who do not know you. Lord, I pray that faithfulness will be reflected in my sons' actions and speech. That they will remain faithful to You, to their beliefs, to their commitments in all that they do...

Sunday, June 10, 2012

"But truly God has listened; he has attended to the voice of my prayer." Psalm 66:19

{Sorry for dropping the ball yesterday! We had an out of town wedding, and time just completely got away from me before it was time to leave. I hope that you continued to pray over your sons yesterday even though there wasn't a specific "topic" to pray over. I know I could have written the post on a previous day and just scheduled it to post, but I have really enjoyed typing out my thoughts as I am doing my daily prayer for my sons, so I hope you forgive me for missing a day and being so late on this post as well. Typing it out as I pray is also keeping me accountable to participating along in the challenge!}

Day 15: Goodness

"Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever." Psalm 23:6

Interestingly, apart from the scripture referencing the Fruits of the Spirit I could not find a verse that spoke of men and goodness. It was always used in reference to God. Now there may be a verse here and there that I am not aware of and just could not find reference to, but I guess the point is that even if there are one or two not well-known verses referencing it, there are many, many Scriptures referencing the "Goodness of God". Kindness and Goodness. How are they two separate things? It sounds confusing at first, and honestly even after learning about the differences and the similarities in my Bible Study last year, I probably even lumped the definition of goodness in with kindness the other day. Kindness is our emotions towards someone, our feelings of love and mercy. Goodness is our actions toward someone, actions that are driven by kindness.

Scriptures reference over and over and over how the goodness of God flows over His people. How His goodness covers His dealings with them. I pray the same thing over our sons. If the fruits of the Spirit are the evidence of the Lord in our life, and the abundance of fruit a sign of our relationship with Him, then we should show the same goodness to others as God does. I love how the fruits are things that are impossible for us to do in our own power, that these seemingly "simple" emotions and feelings, actions and reactions, can come from nowhere other than our relationship with God. I suppose it is only fitting then that since God is the only one who is truly good, that that is the only goodness the Scriptures reference. I pray that our sons will model this goodness in their actions. That their feelings of kindness would overflow into their every day dealings with people, and that there will never be any question where this goodness has come from.

Lord, I pray for the goodness of my sons. God, I pray that your Spirit would overflow in them, that it would pour out in every word, every action. I pray that they will treat everyone with love and mercy, that these feelings would drive every action. I pray that every single reference to your goodness will be fulfilled by them. That there will be no question where their goodness is coming from. Lord, I pray that you will indwell in their exceedingly wicked hearts and turn them into beating hearts of flesh. I pray that they will have a heart full of love, of joy, of mercy. A heart of pure goodness...

Friday, June 8, 2012

{We've been praying over our sons now for two weeks. Have you been reading your Warrior Prayers book? I have really enjoyed the book, and I hope that you do too! How have things been going these few days? Have you found it easy to follow along, easy to participate, easy to pray? I hope you have seen some great changes through praying for your sons, even if it's only a change in your own attitude and heart.}

Day 14: Kindness

"What is desirable in a person is kindness." Proverbs 19:22a

If there's one thing that will have the greatest impact on how our sons are seen by others it is their kindness. It will influence how others see them, how they see others, and their effectiveness for the gospel. Our concern for others, our actions towards them, and our attitude towards others in general is a grave reflection of our need for kindness. I pray that kindness will not be something my sons struggle with. I pray that love and mercy will fill their actions and that kindness will result in all they do.

Lord, I pray that my sons' hearts will be filled with kindness. That their kindness towards others will always point toward You. I pray that they will not struggle when it comes to treating others with kindness. I pray that I can be an example of kindness to them...

Thursday, June 7, 2012

"I cried out to him with my mouth; his praise was on my tongue." Psalm 66:17

Day 13: Patience

"[We pray] that you may be invigorated and strengthened with all power according to the might of His glory, [to exercise] every kind of endurance and patience (perseverance and forbearance) with joy." Colossians 1:11

Such perfect timing since I am literally walking in the door from my Bible Study tonight where we just talked about the fruit of patience. My heart is so full on the subject right now I could probably write an entire book, but instead I'll try to focus on my prayers for my sons. Based on hope when it comes to our circumstances and mercy when it comes to dealing with others, patience is the ability to endure trials without surrendering to them and the ability to restrain from actions when it comes to others. Let us pray that our sons will have patience in all circumstances and with all people. Let us pray that they will have a life full of forgiveness, free of judgement, and surrounded in mercy.

There is a Dutch Proverb that I never understood until I came to understand the definition of true patience. "A handful of patience is worth more than a bushel of brains." How often do we act out of frustration, anger, or simply just out of impulse when we should have had the patience to just wait? How often are we quick to speak, yet slow to become angry? How often do we question God's timing, impatiently calling on Him to work, rather than being patient in the fact that His timing is perfect? All it takes is a little patience to overcome our mouths of fire, all it takes is a little patience for God to do His perfect work, all it takes is a little patience for us to overcome all things. "My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into diverse temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. " James 1:2-4. Praise God that our patience is not in vain. However, I guess it's only fitting that the thing that makes us perfect and complete is one of the hardest to practice.

Lord, we have heard that if we want to be tested we have to only pray for patience, but, Lord, we know the tests are coming anyway. We pray that our sons will have patience in all things. Lord, we pray they will come to the knowledge of You, of the hope that comes from their salvation, and that they will be a living example of mercy. May we impart onto others the patience that you impart onto us. Lord, we pray for our patience as we pray for our sons so that we may be an example to them and not a hindrance. We pray that in all circumstances we will come even closer to becoming perfect and complete lacking in nothing...

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

"In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words." Romans 8:26

Day 12: Peace

"And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:7

Like joy, true peace is something that can only be found in Christ. "If peace is the absence of busyness, then many of us may never find it. Peace is not the absence of to-do lists, appointments, and responsibility. It isn't the absence of a cell phone signal and Internet connectivity. Instead it is the presence of our Lord. Peace is the deliberate adjustment of our lives to the will of God. When we are aligned to His purpose, then and only then will we experience true peace that passes all understanding. The origin of peace is God Himself, and without Him at the center of our lives we will never experience true peace." Let us pray that our sons will know true peace.

Growing up I had one favorite hymn, "It is well with my soul." I'm not sure if it was my favorite before or if it became my favorite after, but I still remember the day my dad shared with me the story behind the hymn. In fact, he and I still talk about this hymn fairly often.

"When Peace like a river attendeth my way.
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot though hast taught me to say,
'It is well, it is well with my soul,'

It is well, with my soul.
It is well, it is well with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

It is well, with my soul.
It is well, it is well with my soul.

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

It is well, with my soul.
It is well, it is well with my soul.

For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
If Jordan above me shall roll,
No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life
Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.

It is well, with my soul.
It is well, it is well with my soul.

But, Lord, ‘tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,
The sky, not the grave, is our goal;
Oh trump of the angel! Oh voice of the Lord!
Blessèd hope, blessèd rest of my soul!

It is well, with my soul.
It is well, it is well with my soul.

And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul."

In October of 1871, Horatio Spafford was financially ruined in the great Chicago Fire. Shortly after this tragedy, Spafford received a telegram from his wife which stated, "Saved alone," and he learned that all four of his daughters had died in a collision with another ship as they were crossing the Atlantic. Several weeks later, as his own ship passed by the spot his daughters had died, this song was inspired. Ironically, the composer who put Spafford's words to music died in a tragic train wreck shortly after writing this music. I cannot help but notice a parallel between the tragedy surrounding this song and the life of Job in the Scriptures. Yet, out of such tragedy came such greatness. I pray that this sense of peace, that this influence, can come from my life and the lives of my sons.

Lord, we pray that our sons will come to know your perfect peace. We pray that they will be able to rest in the knowledge of their salvation and the truth that victory has already come. Lord, we praise you that the battle has already been fought, that it has already been won, that all we have to do is join You in this victory. Lord, let no circumstance tear them away from this truth, let no trial separate them from you, let no heartbreak distract them from the life that they have in you. Grant them peace in all situations, wrap your arms of protection and strength around them when troubles come, and lead them back to you. Hide them in You, Father, so that the perfect peace that comes from you cannot be overshadowed by the things of this world...

True joy is not dependant upon circumstances, it is dependant only on the hope and peace of Jesus and our salvation. It is beyond any happiness the world can provide. An overflowing of our hearts, as if they will simply burst. Let us pray that our sons will have a true, lasting joy that is only found in Christ. I pray that the countenance of their faces will reflect an amazing peace and happiness that is undeniable to all who see it. I pray that no matter what is going on that they can sit on the couch at the end of the day with a heart that is so full that there is no denying the presence of God in their lives.

Lord, We pray that our sons will be filled with your Spirit, that the joy of their salvation will be so consuming that there is no denying You in their lives. Lord, may they be able to face any challenge, any disappointment, any fear knowing that they are safe and secure in you. May they turn from the fleeting, unfulfilling happiness that the world has to offer and instead take upon them the complete and perfect joy that comes from you. May we approach our lives with such joy that our circumstances will be a witness to you always...

Monday, June 4, 2012

{As we begin to pray the next nine days over our children, let us recognize that the fruits of the spirit can only be received from God, they are not something that we can instill in our childen or things that we can pray into their lives. The Fruit of the Spirit is received at salvation and the bearing of these fruits signifies the strength of our walk with God. Let us pray that after salvation our sons will recognize the power of these fruits in themselves and that they will continually draw from them and continue to bear much fruit. For a great study on the Fruits of the Spirit I highly recommend Beth Moore's "Living Beyond Yourself."}Day 10: Love"Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God." I John 4:7

The first distinction to make is the difference between worldly love and godly love. Love is not just an emotion that fills us with happiness, that gives us butterflies in our stomach, that makes us feel like we can conquer the world. Although I do hope my sons will feel that way at times, I pray more that they can have Biblical love. That they will love others as Christ loved us, that they will love their enemies, that they will love beyond emotion and beyond happiness. My deepest desire for my sons is that they will come to know the depth of Christ's love for us, the sacrifice that was made, and that they will choose to be an example of that love to the world. I pray that they will always love others with a godly love, that they will always choose love over judgement, and that they will always do everything out of love.

"All you need is love." How true it is, but how sad that the world does not understand that that love has already come and that it has already conquered and that you have already acquired it. Love has made the ultimate sacrifice for us, yet we still seek after a tawdry, earthly, romantic love that will always leave us wanting more. I pray that my sons will instead seek after the perfect love of Christ, a love that fills, a love that redeems, a love that saves.

Lord, we pray that our sons will come to know you. Father, we pray that your fruit will fill their lives and that they will multiply and grow those fruits. We pray that they will not seek out worldly love, that they will not mistake earthly passions, lust, and simple emotions, but will instead recognize the perfect, sacrificing, sanctifying love that is found in you. May they find that love, may they receive that love and seek after it so that they may in turn be that love to others. Lord, may all that we do be carried out in love, may we realize the perfect sacrifice that your love made for us, and may we be a picture of that sacrifice to the world...

"Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak!" Matthew 26:41

Day 9: Honor

hon·or [on-er]

(as defined on Dictionary.com)

honesty, fairness, or integrity in one's beliefs or actions: a man of honor

a source of credit or distinction: to be an honor to ones family

high respect, as for worth, merit, or rank: to be held in honor

such respect manifested: a memorial in honor of the dead

high public esteem, fame, glory: he has earned his position of honor

Among the attributes we desire for our sons is honor. We pray that they will be men of integrity, honesty, and fairness. That they will be respected and have worth. But above praying that they will have these things we pray that they will use these things to bring the glory back to God. That in every situation that they are brought honor that they will direct the honor back to The One in whom all honor is due. We pray that our sons would use all positions they are in as a wittness, that they will never forget to give credit where credit is due.

When you live your life in the shadow of the Father, constantly seeing His mighty hand at work, feeling His presence in all circumstances, and seeking His direction in all things it is hard not to live a life glorifying to God and it is hard not to receive honor from others. We pray that all the honor our sons receive is because of the work they are doing to further the Kingdom of God.

Lord, we pray that in all things our sons do that honor and glory will be brought to you. We pray that they will live their lives not seeking glory and honor for themselves, but that in all circumstances they receive honor that it will be for the things they have done in service to you. We pray that you will use their lives, that they will be placed in positions of honor, that they will be men of honesty, integrity, and be highly respected among others. Lord, use our sons for great and mighty things for the Kingdom...

Sunday, June 3, 2012

"The LORD is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous." Proverbs 15:29

Day 8: Servant's Heart

"For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don't use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love." Galatians 5:13

God has called us to one thing and one thing only, servanthood. There is one question we should ask ourselves with every single decision we make and it is not, "Will this make me happy?" Instead we should be asking, "Will this make God happy?" Will our lives be pleasing unto Him? The one way that we can ensure our lives will be pleasing unto Him is to live our lives serving others. God has called us to freedom, but as Galatians states that freedom can be used in two separate ways, to serve God or to serve our flesh. We should choose God every single time. "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen." I Peter 4:10-11

Let us model for our sons a true servant's heart. Let us pray that our sons will always make the decision to serve God and in turn serve others rather than choosing to serve their own flesh. The hardest decision we have to make is to choose God or to chose man. It sounds like such a simple choice, and when asked we will say we chose God every single time, but do we really? How much of what we do is based on our own fleshly desires, our selfish nature, and our desire for fulfillment? Although we may not choose God each and every time, know that we have the ability to do so. We should strive to make this choice consciously, to recognize when we are giving in to our flesh and decide instead to turn to the spirit.

Lord, we pray that our sons will die to themselves daily, that they will set aside all the desires of the flesh and choose instead to turn to you in all things. God, we pray that their hearts and minds will be so fixed on You, that every step they take will be for you. Lord, grant them the heart of a servant. Allow them to learn the joy of putting others above themselves in all things. May they seek out opportunities to do your work daily, Lord. May they be a living example of Christ to everyone they come in contact with. Lord, we pray that we will model this heart for our sons and that our family will be a family of servants. God, all we do is for you, may we always put you first...

If there is one thing that should make us recognize the spiritual battle that is alive and well, it is purity. The media is constantly bombarding us with impure things. The temptation to give in to the unclean thoughts and actions of sexual immorality, to place other gods above the true and living God, to fill our hearts and our minds with perverse and degrading things is all too easy. "Everyone is doing it," "But your God is a loving God and will forgive you," "You need the things in order to be happy," and on, and on, and on. The temptations just keep coming. It is a 24/7 battle for our sons' purity and the only way we have a fighting chance is to keep praying.

We need to be on our knees fighting for our sons' purity when it comes to their hearts, their minds, their actions, and their bodies. Sexual purity is the easiest to recognize and the easiest to remember to pray for, but we need to remember our sons' purity in all areas. No matter how hard we may try, we can't control what they say, we can't control what they do, and we for sure can't control what they think. We can make sure that we are monitoring what is going in, and pray for what is coming out, but beyond that it is out of our hands. Like praying for the heart change on day 1 this is something that cannot be done without God's work in our sons' lives and we should be praying for this work to be done.

Lord, we pray for our sons purity. We pray your protection over their hearts and their minds. We cast out all spirits of impurity and immorality from them, Father.﻿ We pray that they will chose to walk in your ways, that they will not fill their minds with the filth that is being thrown at them, that they will not give in to the temptations that are before them, and that they will constantly be on guard and able to recognize when these battles are taking place. We pray that our sons will be able to present themselves as pure, whole beings to their wives, we pray that they will always be models to the world of purity and remaining set apart, and we pray that they will be able to present themselves to you with pure hearts...

Friday, June 1, 2012

"Arise, cry out in the night...pour out your heart like water before the presence of the Lord; lift up your hands to Him for the life of your little ones..." Lamentations 2:19a

Day 6: Pride

"Thus says the Lord, 'Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches;but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord who exercises loving kindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things,' declares the Lord." Jeremiah 9:23-24

Oh how I pray my sons can understand humility. I pray that they can come to the realization that every single thing we have is from the Lord. Be it a physical trait, our mental ability, a certain opportunity, or a spiritual gift. There is nothing more harmful to the Kingdom of God than a leader who has fallen victim to his own pride. See all of the happenings in the media world lately. Pastors who have strayed from their families, pastors who have strayed from Biblical teachings, pastors who have come to believe it is their doing rather than the doing of God when something great happens.

Imagine the harm that can come to a family from having the spiritual head falling victim to pride. Imagine the good that can come to our sons lives if instead they practice humility in their spiritual life, in their homes, in their jobs, in their personal victories. To God be all the glory, and let us always remember that He warned us in Scripture that "Pride cometh before a fall." Lord, we pray our sons will never know the defeat that comes from a pride-filled life.

Lord, we pray against pride in our sons' lives. We pray that humility and grace and love instead will full their lives and their hearts. Bring into them a conviction against all prideful things in their lives. Let us be a model of humbleness to them, Lord, accepting honor only in your name and not in our own. Lord, will we give all glory and honor and power and praise to you and to you alone...

Thursday, May 31, 2012

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." Philippians 4:6

Day 5: Avoiding Foolishness

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand." Matthew 7:24-26

Oh the prayer that can bring me to my knees and keep me there. Oh, that my sons will avoid foolishness, that they will run from it with all their might. I pray that my sons will build their lives on the firm foundation of Christ and not the slippery slope of the world. I know the times will come when poor decisions are made, and I will pray that my sons will always listen to the Lord's voice and turn away from those situations. I pray they will rise above their childish ways, their immaturity, and embrace a life beyond all of those things.

I pray that they will never be foolish enough to believe their mistakes, no matter how terrible they may seem, are the end of the world. That they will never believe the lies that their life is meaningless, but will seek always to fulfill their greatest purpose. My deepest heart's cry is that they do not fall prey to the biggest foolishness of all, the belief in the world's view of Christ, of the world's view of Christianity, and that they will instead embrace who God truly is and what He truly calls us to be.

Lord, we pray over our sons decisions. We pray that they will refrain from the foolishness of this world, that they will reject the lies of the devil, and that they will turn towards the wisdom of you. We pray that consequences of foolish actions will not be too much for them to bear, and that we will be able to help guide them through it. Lord, we know that foolishness will come, but we pray that it will come sparingly. We pray wisdom and knowledge and understanding over our sons. Lead them, guide them, direct them, and turn them towards you...

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

"But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind." James 1:6

Day 4: Integrity

"For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity, guarding the paths of justice and watching over the way of his saints." Proverbs 2:6-8

The most important characteristic our sons can ever have is to be men of integrity. The best thing we can teach them is to be trustworthy, honest, men of faith. Let us pray that by being women of integrity we will raise sons of integrity. Let us pray that we can raise up sons that will be godly husbands, godly fathers, and godly leaders.

Lord, may our sons be men of integrity. May they break the cycles of abuse, mistrust, and harm of past generations and our society. May they become men worthy of leading, men worthy of following. Lead them as they become leaders. Instill in them the characteristics that are important to you. Grant them the qualities that you wish we would have...

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

"First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way."1 Timothy 2:1-2

Day 3: Submission to Authority

"Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves." Romans 13:1-2

If there's anything we should also be praying for God to do in us as well as our children it is this. Submitting to authority goes against every fiber of our being, it comes against everything we have been taught by society. We want our sons to grow up and be strong individuals and strong leaders, and it starts with teaching them to learn how to submit. Submitting to authority does not make us weak, it does not make us less successful, less influential, and less great. We need to teach our sons to respect, submit to, and to pray for the leaders in their lives so that they themselves can become great leaders. Let us pray that we ourselves will be submissive to the leaders in our lives so our sons also can learn to submit. Let us pray that even in the moments we doubt that those in authority are making the right decisions that we can trust in God's ultimate plan.

Lord, we pray that our sons will learn and embrace submission as a daily aspect of their lives. May they learn to respect, honor, and pray for the leaders in their lives so that they may one day become great leaders themselves. May they understand true leadership as defined in your word and true submission as commanded by you. Grant us the strength to submit to those in authority even when we question. Give us the ability to recognize your ultimate plan with those you have placed over us. May you place over our sons godly leaders who will make submission an easy, natural aspect to their lives. May we as their parents always be leaders that make it easy to submit to, and may our submission to others set a godly, encouraging example to them...

Monday, May 28, 2012

"Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart." Colossians 4:2

Day 2: Obedience

"Listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old. Buy the truth and do not sell it—wisdom, instruction and insight as well. The father of a righteous child has great joy; a man who fathers a wise son rejoices in him. May your father and mother rejoice; may she who gave you birth be joyful!" Proverbs 23:22-25

Anyone who has children knows that we are not born obedient creatures. In fact, rebellion and pushing the limits are natural parts of our being. This is what makes our job as a mother such a time consuming and important one. I often hear mothers say that it is not our job to raise obedient children, but I argue that that is exactly what we are to do. We are to raise children who understand the value of obedience, who understand that true freedom only comes by living in the confines of the rules that have been set for us.

True obedience comes when one knows God and seeks after Him. It is only when we become 100% obedient to Him that we will become our best selves, that we will have peace and joy, that we will have fullfilled lives. Let us pray that our sons will understand obedience, and that we can be strong examples of obedience to them. Let us pray that we will require of our children the obedience that God has designated for them, and not simply obedience to our earthly rules and desires.

Lord,we pray for our sons to understand and value the command of obedience.We pray that our lives would be a daily example of obedience to you, and that by our lives our sons will be encouraged. May our sons come to the knowledge that obedience brings freedom and not chains, that it brings power and not oppression, that it brings life and not death. May our sons seek after you and as they grow closer to you will they acknowledge the importance of following your desires for their lives. May they be obedient to that calling. Lord, may we raise sons who are obedient not just to earthly rules and regulations, but who are obedient to the heavenly callings you have placed in their lives...

Sunday, May 27, 2012

"What am I to do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will pray with my mind also; I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will sing with my mind also." I Corinthians 14:15

Moms, as we join in prayer for our sons I want to open up with a prayer for us as well...Father God, as we begin this journey of praying over our sons help us to remember to do so thoughtfully, specifically, and diligently. Let us not get discouraged by our lack of understanding of how prayer works or why it is important, but let us focus instead on the simple command to just pray. Lord, let us understand that it is not about the words we say, but about the Holy Spirit's leading in us drawing us closer to you. God grant in us the same things we are to pray over our children. Let us be the example set before them in how to live righteously before you. Lord, we ask that even when the answer to our prayers is "no", even when the answer seems to be far from grasp, we ask that we will not be discouraged and that we will continue to seek you in all things. Continue to remind us of your presence, of your purpose, and of your perfect will. Let us make our lives of prayer all about your desires, and never about ours. Amen.

Day 1: Prayers for a Heart Change

"The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?" Jeremiah 17:9

This is the perfect beginning. There is nothing we can do to change our sons' hearts, God is the only one who can deal with their innermost beings. Without this heart change everything else would be in vain. Let us pray that their hearts will be softened, that walls will be torn down and unable to be built up, that the truth will permeate every fiber of this desperately wicked vessel. May our sons' hearts continually seek after the heart of the Father. May they be transformed by Him, conformed to Him, and may their desires become His desires.

The best way for me to get into the spirit of prayer is through song. Take the time to worship the Lord through song, invite Him into your schedule, and enter into His presence. Carry this heart of worship into your moments of prayer with the Lord.

Lord, we pray now for the hearts of our sons. We pray life into these hearts of stone and strength into these hearts of flesh. We pray a softening upon them, a tearing down of walls, so that their hearts will be prepared for the coming of your word into their lives. Only you, Lord, know our innermost parts, only you can bring life where there is none, only you can bring change. Bring it, God, bring it to our sons. Bring it to their spirits. Bring it to their minds. Bring it to their lives...

Saturday, May 26, 2012

21 Days ago I invited you to join me at the MOB (moms of boys) Society in prayer over our sons. We were to pray fervently, specifically, intentionally, scripturally, and deeply over them.This challenge came at the perfect time for me since I have been feeling led to have a daily, specific, thoughtful prayer life. As in all other areas that God lays on my heart to change about my own life, He is also laying it on the hearts of many others. This is a challenge that mothers and bloggers have been doing for quite a while now and how nice to be able to have a support system of life-minded women. When I'm trying to wade through the murkiness of my life and to break down the protective walls I have spent a lifetime building around my heart it's nice to have other women along for the journey. That's hard stuff to do on your own. We need the accountability, we crave the encouragement, we are social beings who were created to help hold each other up. We were not made to do it alone. So how exciting is it to be able to join with other moms who signed up for this challenge!

I decided at the beginning of the 21 Days of Prayer for our sons that for every one's sake I would just do one big recap, but let me be honest, I'm mostly glad that I didn't decide to do daily posts because most days it would have been missing. I found their site so difficult to follow along with and all but only 5 days I couldn't even find the post about what it was we were praying for that day. I couldn't find it posted on their FB site, I couldn't find it posted on their blog, I just couldn't wade through the many other posts that were made on those days to actually find the prayer challenge posts. It was so frustrating that I decided to not participate in the 21 days. I want to let you know that if you had a hard time following along with them, you definitely were not alone!I am so glad that God does not hold us to a daily timeline, and that it doesn't matter to Him if we start our 21 days today or if we started them a month ago. So praise God for that!

I have since waded through all of the past month's posts on their site to gather the topics (at the very end when I only had 3 topics left to find I found the link to the posts all together in one place, don't you just love how that happens!) and now I can say that I will finally be able to start the 21 days of prayer for my sons!!! I hope that some of you had an easier time following along than I did. I'm very disappointed that I found it so difficult to do so with their site, but Satan does love to mess things up when it comes to the important things. SO better late than never and here are the topics of the 21 Days of Prayer! If you would like to read the posts on each day in detail on the MOB site you can find the 21 Days posts here and use the newer and older arrows to go from day to day.However, I have decided that I will do an "unofficial" 21 Days of Prayer challenge on my own page, so feel free to just follow along with me.

I read the book Warrior Prayers: Praying the Word for Boys which was the inspiration for the challenge and I fell in love with it.Praying and praying specifically are not really areas I struggle with if it's for a big thing or for something I'm familiar with. Praying specifically daily for the regular things that I am a little more "clueless" about is a little bit of a struggle, and if there is one thing I am definitely clueless about it is being a boy! Even tomboys are still girls with girl struggles and girl minds. It was great to have a little guidance when it came to praying for my sons and their very specific struggles and needs. Let's face it, there's going to be many thing I don't understand when it comes to my sons, but I can always, always fall on my knees before God and ask for wisdom and guidance. Join me for the next 21 days to get daily topics and Scriptures to pray over your sons.

Saturday, May 19, 2012

Who am I? This tiny, insignificant piece just trying to find my place in the everlasting puzzle. What can I do? A mother with more education than most, but who specializes in nothing in particular. Where can I go? Tied down by the three little people who require me to meet their every need, tied down by the financial burdens of a single income family, tied down by nothing in particular yet everything all at once. Who am I?

What good is one tiny little piece? Looking at me you don't even know what it is that I am. I have no true form and no true identity. What need is there for such a small piece as I? I am no Mary carrying The One who will bring salvation to the World. I am no Esther becoming Queen to save an entire nation. Angels do not come to me announcing great and miraculous things that I will do. How is it that I will even find my tiny, insignificant place in the endless puzzle of humanity? I wander aimlessly to find my fit. Sometimes I even think I'm there but one little edge is slightly off or my shape is right but my picture is wrong. What good am I, one tiny little piece?

Who would notice if I give up on this journey of finding my place? There are surely other pieces that will fit better than I, surely more talent in those other pieces. What harm would it do to not have me at all? Maybe my piece just doesn't really fit in the puzzle at all. What good does it do for me to waste my time searching, to fail time and again, to never find success? Surely, everyone would be better off if I accept the status of a non-existent, insignificant piece. The corners and edges have all been laid, the picture is almost complete. I have no markings of significance on me, just a blur of useless colors. Who would notice?

The Grand Puzzle Maker had made a mistake. He cut me incorrectly and made me the wrong shape. Or maybe as He painted me He didn't notice the smudge that rendered me useless to the masterpiece He was creating. Maybe it's my own fault, I didn't do something right. Whatever the answer I'm just going to give up the fight.

I fought for too long it's time to admit defeat. Pride cometh before a fall doesn't it? I should quit while I'm already behind. This puzzle is too vast for me to even find my way. The map is too confusing. Outdated or a fairy tale, maybe what they say is true. Why should I keep searching after what may not be the truth?

So many times in my life I have felt like the "insignificant, little piece." The only men and women God will use in mighty ways for His Kingdom are mentioned in Scripture right? Maybe you have struggled for so long you are at the crossroads of choosing to believe in Jesus or choosing to believe there is no Jesus after all. What do you do, where do you turn, how do you know where to go? Have you ever put together a puzzle and at the very end there is a missing piece? Maybe it's not even a part of the main picture, it doesn't really "matter" at all. But it matters to you doesn't it. Because something is missing. Something that was meant to be there by the puzzle maker is not there, so the end result is incomplete. You can see the whole through the missing piece, but it's beauty and splendor is lost. We are all those pieces. Some of us seem to be more important when you judge us on the surface, but we all contribute exactly the same to the end result. We each have a space to fill, but we will wander around uselessly if we refuse to connect to the piece next to us or if we give up looking. The only insignificance in our lives is choosing to take ourselves out of the puzzle.

Thursday, May 17, 2012

Our first son was born in April with summer right around the corner. I was excited that I would soon have extra minute-by-minute help with my son. However, I soon began to joke that I was a "single mom". Married to a baseball coach at the most prestigious high school in our area was a big responsibility. Since he was a teacher as well he left at 6:30 every morning to get to work on time. School was over by 3, but then he had practice or, even worse, a game or two. There were many, many weeks that I wouldn't see him for days at a time. He left before I got up in the morning and got home after I had fallen asleep. I began spending a lot of time at the ball field just to see him through the fence or across the field. It was the hardest thing I have ever done.

The truth is though, I was not a single mom. As much as I felt "alone" there were so many aspects I did not have to deal with. My hubby was bringing in an income, I could call him on the phone, and because of the amazing man he is he actually sacrificed his time and would take off of work if I was having a particularly hard day and felt I couldn't deal anymore. No matter how late he got home or how early he left, there was still a body in the bed next to me every night. I didn't have to worry about who would teach our son about the "boy" things, I didn't have to work multiple jobs to stay afloat, I didn't have to do so many things that single mothers have to do. And, thankfully for all of us, there was a break in between baseball seasons that I got to spend more time with him than most women ever get to spend with their hubbies.

There are 15 million single parents in America. Every night one-thousand teenagers became single moms. 50% of babies today are born to single mothers, and we all know the devastating statistics of how many marriages are destroyed by divorce and how many children are left with single parents because of this. What is happening to the over 22 million children in these circumstances?

Single mothers do deserve credit for the amount of work they have to devote to their families. Most of them work several jobs to provide for their children, as well as playing the role of both mother and father. It is an unimaginable task, and there is certainly a reason why it is not the way the family was designed to be. There are many wonderful single mothers who do everything they can to make sure their children are protected, provided for, and loved. But there is just no denying the statistics that come from a society in which single parenting has become the norm.

The most staggering statistic to me is the way these children are being forced into a life with a single parent. Of all single mothers in America 41.3% gave birth out of wedlock. Almost half of single mothers made a choice to keep their child in a single parent family. Given the statistics regarding what happens to children of single parent homes the fact that it is a decision many women chose literally breaks my heart. Yes, I understand the bond between a mother and a child. Yes, I understand the blessing of children. Yes, I know there are many single women who do raise godly, respectful children, but take a moment to put those emotions aside and take a look at the facts instead.

Almost 80% of the prison population was raised by a single mother. The strongest indicator of if a person will end up in prison or not is if they were raised by a single mother. 72% of juvenile murderers and 60% of rapists come from single mother homes. Around 70% of all teenage births, dropouts, suicides, juvenile delinquents, and child murderers are products of single mother homes. I almost don't want to continue with such heart breaking statistics. 90% of homeless and runaway children, many of whom I have worked with and heard their heartbreaking stories. Throw in here the statistics about victims of human trafficking and you can also see where children of single mothers take up a vast majority there as well. 71% of adolescent chemical and substance abusers are products of single mother homes. They are more likely to be victims of sexual, physical and mental abuse and neglect, have poorer physical and mental health and academic performance.

Take away the factor of a single mother and the lines of race completely disappear when it comes to the statistics of crime. The link in roughly SEVENTY PERCENT of our most disturbing social issues is a child being raised by a single mother. In 2003 there were 1.5 million babies born into single mother situation. Less than 1% were put up for adoption. "What is the problem with that?" you may ask. "No one can care for a child like their mother can," we have been taught. Well, the less than 1% of babies who were put up for adoption rather than raised by single mothers do not fit into the statistics stated above. These children fare far better than the children who are raised in single mother homes. Obviously, this is a choice only the mother can make, but I have met many young mothers who felt pressured by society or their families to keep their children for the simple fact that it was "their" child. Despite an actual desire for that child, despite an actual way to provide for that child, despite any support in any way. The only "support" they got was the advice to keep their child.

These statistics do not point to the single mother individually or to her actions as a mother. They simply point to the circumstances of growing up with a single mother. This is not meant to condemn any mother who is raising her children by herself, but these are the facts. This is the truth about what happens to children raised in single mother homes. It represents a depressing, horrifying trend for the young people of our country. Could you imagine if someone told you there was a way to lower crime and suicide rates by 70%? That there was a way to create healthier people and a more successful society?

Now how does it make you feel to know that less than 1% of churches have a sustainable ministry for single mothers? This is absolutely the saddest statistic of this entire situation. "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world" James 1:27. Now I'm going to take some freedom with the translation of this verse taking into account the culture of Jesus' day and the assumption that there were very few children born out of wedlock due to social customs and also the assumption that a single mother would be discouraged from keeping a child causing that child to become one of these said orphans. Based on these assumptions in my personal translation of this verse it would say, "Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after widows and orphans and single moms and their children."

So why is it that such a minuscule, I would argue even non-existent, number of churches are even following this Biblical mandate? We as the church should be stepping in to abolish theses statistics, to fill in the gaps that these single mothers are trying desperately to fill. Taking into account the fact that the divorce rate in churches is equal to that outside of the church and also taking into account that there is a number of teenage pregnancies also happening inside of the church we are alienating a large number of our own members. You can find these statistics everywhere you turn, but to find hope and to find a way to step in and help fill the gap check out The Life of a Single Mom Ministries. If you are a single mom, know that despite these gut-wrenching statistics there is always hope, that the Heavenly Father is more than adequate enough for you and for your children. But also know that you don't have to do it alone. I pray that God will place in your path godly men and women who will do whatever it takes to help you in whatever ways you need them to. I pray that we can end this culture of brokenness.

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

I cannot express the sheer priviledge it is to be able to walk through life with such a strong group of women around me. The ways that they contribute to my life are beyond words. Well, technically it's not truly beyond words since with every post I am sharing a bit of wisdom that has been imparted to me at some point, but to be able to explain to the full extent how these women have changed my life and how they push me forward just can't be done. I have recently had the pleasure of meeting a woman who has a true gift for Scripture. She knows the perfect reference for anything you are searching for. I just love her for that. She has challenged me so much to study scripture and to pass it on to my children. She may think it's not a true "gift", but it has truly touched and changed me. This morning once again she used scriptures to change my mindset, to refocus my attention, and to begin my own personal journey of searching the Scriptures when it comes to the tongue.

I have shared openly of my struggle with my own tongue. I have challenged others, like I have challenged myself, to gentleness. I strive to remember that a gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh words stirs up anger (Proverbs 15:1). How often do we allow ourselves to give in when our flesh is bowed up with pride, when our face is red with anger, when we feel that we just have to defend ourselves against something?We so easily give in to the harsh words that are seering into our tongue completely forgetting that we are to be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry (James 1:19).

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The tongue is like a match. Once lit it has the ability to completely destroy its surroundings (James 3:5), but it also has the ability to bring light. It is up to us what we do with our words becausewith our words we can bring life or we can bring death (Prov. 18:21). God created the world with His words while Satan used his words to tear it down (Gen 1-4). Whose example are we following?

Every relationship is built with words and the power of our words should never be underestimated. With our words relationships grow and flourish or with our words relationships can end. The greatest of our relationships we have here on Earth is that with our family. We should be guarding this relationship with everything we have to ensure this bond remains strong and united, but so often it is with those we should be guarding the closest that we feel the urge to let our tongue go.

I am the victim of amygdala hijack. As I shared in my gentleness challenge, I feel as if I turn into the beast from "Beauty and the Beast" almost like a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. How funny then that science would actually explain these feelings of anger that rise up in me almost without warning? The amygdala is the emotional center of our brain. When we are faced with a "fight or flight" situation (any situation that our brain perceives as a threat), the brain literally bypasses the cortex or the "thinking" center and goes directly to the amygdala.The hormones and adrenaline then coursing through your body make thinking of a solution impossible. Logical thinking and judgement are thrown completely out of the window.

Now that we are all coming to the realization that we all are victims of this dreadful Mr. Hyde take-over, now we can truly examine why God instructed us to be slow to speak and slow to become angry. Wouldn't it stand to reason that the Creator of the human body would understand the way that our brain is wired? Would you believe that all it takes for you to overcome amygdala is for you to literally, be slow to speak and slow to become angry? All it takes to overcome amygdala hijack is to take a deep breath and allow your brain a few seconds to send the information back to the cortex for you to actually rationalize the situation.

I love when science and Scripture align (which they do quite often if you pay attention). So the next time someone pushes our buttons or we are faced with a particularly stressful situation how are we going to choose to handle it? When someone lights a match with their words are we going to use our words to pour gasoline on the fire, or are we going to choose to snuff it out? We can stir up even more anger with our reaction or we can force that anger away.

"And the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself" James 3:6. As my wise friend shared this morning, we need to be having fire drills with our family. We need to prepare ourselves and our children for how we are going to react when there is a fire in our house. It is not a matter of "if" these fires are going to come, but of "when". In fact, I foresee a lot of fires raging in my household as my children grow, become opinionated, and their hormones take over. I think we will all be wise to learn, and to teach our children, "Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent." Proverbs 17:28.

Love never fails!!!

Proverbs 31:10-12, 25-31

Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies. The heart of her husband safely trusts her; so he will have no lack of gain. She does him good and not evil all the days of her life. Strength and honor are her clothing;she shall rejoice in time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness. She watches over the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: Many daughters have done well, but you excel them all. Charm is deceitful and beauty is fleeting but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Give her the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates.

He will bless the fruit of thy womb...

Deut. 7:13

Titus 2:1-8

Speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine. That the older men be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in patience; the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things -- that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands that the word of God may not be blasphemed. Likewise, exort young men to be sober-minded in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you.

Ezekiel 36:26-27

I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.

Psalm 127:3

What did you do today?

Today I was an explorer. I went on adventures to see the wonderful secrets of God's creation. I watched as the birds flew across the sky, listened as the wind blew through the trees, and felt the warmth of the sun upon my face. Today I was a chef preparing gourmet four-course meals the likes of which the finest restaurants have never seen. Today I was a teacher conducting experiments, revealing hidden truths, and watching the amazement of these lessons being learned for the first time. Today I was a student, a doctor, a friend, a performer. Today I was a MOM. And tomorrow I get to do it all over again!

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May I decrease as HE increases!

My Hope For You

My hope for you, my fellow mommies, is that you will go throughout your day encouraged by successes, challenged by failures, and thankful for your experiences. That you will learn to thank God in the bad as well as the good, that you will use the powers of the Holy Spirit to become the best you can be, and that you will live your life according to the purpose you were given when you were created in the image of God Himself. May you find encouragement here so you can face the hardships of being a mom, a wife, and an imperfect person trying to live purposefully in an imperfect world, with grace.